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| II.
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II.
These4798
| 4798 This interesting extract we also owe to
Eusebius, who (ut sup.) took it from the work De Ogdoade,
written after this former friend of Irenæus had lapsed to
Valentinianism. Florinus had previously held that God was the author of
evil, which sentiment Irenæus opposed in a treatise, now lost, called
περὶ μοναρχίας. |
opinions, Florinus, that I may speak in mild terms, are not of sound
doctrine; these opinions are not consonant to the Church, and involve
their votaries in the utmost impiety; these opinions, even the heretics
beyond the Church’s pale have never ventured to broach; these
opinions, those presbyters who preceded us, and who were conversant with
the apostles, did not hand down to thee. For, while I was yet a boy, I
saw thee in Lower Asia with Polycarp, distinguishing thyself in the royal
court,4799
and
endeavouring to gain his approbation. For I have a more vivid
recollection of what occurred at that time than of recent events
(inasmuch as the experiences of childhood, keeping pace with the growth
of the soul, become incorporated with it); so that I can even describe
the place where the blessed Polycarp used to sit and discourse—
his going out, too, and his coming in—his general mode of life
and personal appearance, together with the discourses which he delivered
to the people; also how he would speak of his familiar intercourse with
John, and with the rest of those who had seen the Lord; and how he would
call their words to remembrance. Whatsoever things he had heard from them
respecting the Lord, both with regard to His miracles and His teaching,
Polycarp having thus received [information] from the eye-witnesses of the
Word of life, would recount them all in harmony with the Scriptures.
These things, through, God’s mercy which was upon me, I then
listened to attentively, and treasured them up not on paper, but in my
heart; and I am continually, by God’s grace, revolving these things
accurately in my mind. And I can bear witness before God, that if that
blessed and apostolical presbyter had heard any such thing, he would have
cried out, and stopped his ears, exclaiming as he was wont to do:
“O good God, for what times hast Thou reserved me, that I should
endure these things?” And he would have fled from the very spot
where, sitting or standing, he had heard such words. This fact, too, can
be made clear, from his Epistles which he despatched, whether to the
neighbouring Churches to confirm them, or to certain of the brethren,
admonishing and exhorting them.E.C.F. INDEX & SEARCH
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